U.S. Ukraine land mines/ Biden Ukraine policy/ Russian retaliation/ North Korea Russia troops/ Ukraine war updates/ KYIV/ Ukraine/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. will allow Ukraine to use antipersonnel land mines to counter Russian advances, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday. This decision comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian ground assaults and growing international tension, including North Korea’s involvement alongside Russian forces. Kyiv anticipates further Russian retaliation following this and other recent U.S. military support.
Ukraine to Use U.S. Land Mines: Quick Looks
- Policy Shift: U.S. land mines will help Ukraine slow Russian ground forces in the east.
- Russian Retaliation: Moscow threatens escalation after U.S. expands Ukraine’s military capabilities.
- International Tensions: North Korea bolsters Russian forces; NATO allies weigh risks of conflict expansion.
- Humanitarian Considerations: U.S. mines are nonpersistent, reducing long-term civilian risks.
- Key Strike: Ukraine uses U.S. ATACMS missiles to hit key targets inside Russian territory.
Biden Administration Greenlights Land Mines for Ukraine, Angering Russia
Deep Look
The Biden administration has approved the use of U.S.-supplied antipersonnel land mines by Ukraine to curb Russia’s battlefield momentum, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Wednesday. This marks a significant policy shift as Ukraine battles relentless Russian advances in the eastern Donetsk region and faces mounting international pressure.
U.S. Land Mines to Aid Ukraine’s Defense
Austin, speaking in Laos, emphasized that the land mines being provided are “nonpersistent” and will self-deactivate over time, addressing long-standing humanitarian concerns.
“The land mines we would provide are safer for civilians compared to those Russia is using, which remain deadly for years,” Austin said. He noted that Ukraine is already producing its own land mines but requires additional resources to slow Russia’s ground offensives.
Nonpersistent land mines rely on battery-operated mechanisms that render them inert after a set period, reducing risks for non-combatants. Russia’s mines, in contrast, remain active indefinitely, posing a long-term threat.
Kyiv Embassies Closed Amid Threats
The announcement coincided with warnings of a major Russian air attack on Kyiv, prompting precautionary closures of U.S., Spanish, Italian, and Greek embassies in the Ukrainian capital. However, the British and French embassies remained open.
The precaution followed Russia’s threats of retaliation after President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made missiles to strike Russian soil. Moscow labeled the decision a provocation and vowed a “decisive response.”
North Korea Enters the Fray
U.S. officials also revealed that North Korea has begun deploying troops and artillery to support Russian forces. South Korea reported that North Korean soldiers are now embedded with Russia’s marine and airborne units, actively participating in front-line combat.
North Korea has also supplied additional artillery systems to bolster Russian firepower, heightening concerns over the war’s growing international dimension.
Russian Escalation Looms
The war’s 1,000th day was marked by heightened tensions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiling a revised nuclear doctrine. The new policy permits Moscow to use nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks by nations supported by nuclear-armed allies—a direct nod to Ukraine’s U.S.-backed strikes.
Despite the Kremlin’s posturing, Western leaders dismissed these threats as attempts to deter support for Kyiv. Still, the risk of further escalation has unsettled global markets and diplomatic relations.
Ukrainian Strikes Inside Russia
Ukraine has begun leveraging U.S.-supplied ATACMS long-range missiles to target Russian infrastructure. Recent strikes included:
- Belgorod Region: Ukraine reportedly hit a factory producing cargo drones for the Russian military.
- Novgorod Region: Ukrainian forces targeted an arsenal storing artillery and missiles approximately 420 miles from the Ukrainian border.
These operations are intended to disrupt Russia’s military supply chain and weaken its battlefield capabilities.
Expert Analysis
The U.S. decision to supply antipersonnel land mines is unlikely to drastically alter the war’s trajectory, according to analysts at the Institute for the Study of War. However, it may slow Russian advances and provide Ukraine with a tactical advantage.
Humanitarian Concerns vs. Tactical Necessity
While antipersonnel land mines are controversial due to their potential harm to civilians, Austin argued that the controlled nature of U.S. mines mitigates these risks. Advocacy groups remain cautious but acknowledge the distinction between U.S. technology and Russia’s indiscriminate tactics.
Ukraine’s reliance on such tools underscores the war’s brutal reality as it defends against a numerically superior Russian force.
Looking Ahead
As winter approaches, military analysts warn that Russia may intensify efforts to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, leveraging its stockpile of long-range missiles. Ukraine’s ability to counter these attacks and sustain its defenses will likely depend on continued Western military support.
For Ukraine, the addition of U.S. antipersonnel land mines is one of many steps to bolster its defenses and reclaim lost territory. However, with Russia signaling a willingness to escalate further, the risks of broader conflict loom large.
